TIPS & TRAINING
Sample Family VBS Day Schedule

WELCOME | FAMILY CONNECT (15 Minutes)

The purpose of this time is for families to connect and have fun together,and to be introduced to the day’s lesson. During this time, all the families and leaders will be together in the main VBS room. Worship, play a wacky game & get ready for the day’s main lesson!

TIP! Music is totally up to you – if you want to include a few songs to start the day, please do so. While the What’s in the Bible? VBS does not include worship music materials, there are great resources for worship music for kids available. Check out our friends at Seeds Family Worship for great songs straight from scripture! www.seedsfamilyworship.net

FAMILY LESSON (20 Minutes)

All Together! Everyone stays together in the main VBS room to watch the video for the day. You’ll play each day’s video from your DVD or if you use presentation software, you’ll find the same video available on the DVD-Rom.

Tip! All videos for the family lessons and small groups can be found on your DVD. If your church uses presentations software to show videos, you can use the DVD-Rom. The DVD-Rom includes the exact same material as the DVD, just in a .mov and .mp3 format for easy importing.

SMALL GROUPS (45 Minutes)

ADULT SMALL GROUP

Grown Ups only! The purpose of this time is for adults to learn how they can take the Biblical lessons home and encourage greater faith in their families. All of the adults will watch a teaching video from Phil Vischer. Then have adults break into small groups to discuss the video using the provided discussion questions.

KID SMALL GROUP

Kids Only! The purpose of this time is to bring the day’s video to life for kids as you dig deep into the lesson with age-appropriate games, discussions and art.

TIP: The Kid Small Group time can be customized so that it’s perfect for your kids.

Option A: Set up the games and art activities as stations giving children the freedom to rotate from station to station choosing the activities they like best. Ring a bell when it’s time to rotate, or encourage children to move freely.

Option B: Provide each game and art activity during small group time. Provide supplies for each activity to each small group leader, encouraging participation and discussion for children with a trusted leader and small group of friends.

FAMILY REVIEW & WRAP UP (15 Minutes)

Together Again! The purpose of this time is for families to reconnect, reflect and review the day’s lesson. During this time, everyone will come back together in the main VBS room and sit with their family to facilitate discussions. At the end, pass out the Go Home cards (if using) for the families to review the day’s lesson on their way home.

TIP: The Go Home cards are completely customizable! You’ll find WORD DOC version of the files on the Print Materials CD. Edit to add in notes to the parents about the VBS schedule or any additional messages you have.

Optional Day 5 Note:

A fifth day has been provided as an opportunity for children to serve within the church or neighborhood. This time is meant for children to express what they’ve learned in tangible ways. The lesson suggests service ideas, but be free to customize this lesson so that it’s best for the children in your church. If you have an annual service project, or a community partner whom you regularly serve, consider combining what you already do with VBS.

Sample Traditional VBS Day Schedule

WELCOME (15 Minutes)

The purpose of this time is for children to have fun connecting with each other, and to be introduced to the day’s lesson. During this time, all the children and leaders will be together in the main VBS room. Worship, play a wacky game & get ready for the day’s main lesson!

TIP! Music is totally up to you – if you want to include a few songs to start the day, please do so. While the What’s in the Bible? VBS does not include worship music materials, there are great resources for worship music for kids available. Check out our friends at Seeds Family Worship for great songs straight from scripture! www.seedsfamilyworship.net.

VIDEO LESSON (20 Minutes)

The purpose of this time is for children to watch the main video, and learn about the Bible. During this time, all the children and leaders will be together in the main VBS room. Play the provided day’s video, found on the DVD or DVD-Rom (if playing through presentation software.)

Tip! All videos for the video lessons can be found on your DVD. If your church uses presentations software to show videos, you can use the DVD-Rom. The DVD-Rom includes the exact same material as the DVD, just in a .mov and .mp3 format for easy importing.

SMALL GROUPS (45 Minutes)

The purpose of this time is to bring the day’s video to life for kids as you dig deep into the lesson with age-appropriate games, discussions and art.

TIP: The Kid Small Group time can be customized so that it’s perfect for your kids.

Option A: Set up the games and art activities as stations giving children the freedom to rotate from station to station choosing the activities they like best. Ring a bell when it’s time to rotate, or encourage children to move freely.

Option B: Provide each game and art activity during small group time. Provide supplies for each activity to each small group leader, encouraging participation and discussion for children with a trusted leader and small group of friends.

REVIEW & WRAP UP (15 Minutes)

The purpose of this time is for children to review the day’s lesson and participate in prayer. During this time, everyone will come back together in the main VBS room and continue to sit in small groups for discussion. At the end, pass out the Go Home cards (if using) for the children to share with their parents.

TIP: The Go Home cards are completely customizable! You’ll find WORD DOC version of the files on the Print Materials CD. Edit to add in notes to the parents about the VBS schedule or any additional messages you have.

Optional Day 5 Note:

A fifth day has been provided as an opportunity for children to serve within the church or neighborhood. This time is meant for children to express what they’ve learned in tangible ways. The lesson suggests service ideas, but be free to customize this lesson so that it’s best for the children in your church. If you have an annual service project, or a community partner whom you regularly serve, consider combining what you already do with VBS.

Day 1 Supply List & Links
  • 2 Cones (or Empty, Clean Plastic Milk Jugs)
  • 1 Golf Ball
  • 2 Small Plastic Rings
  • 12 Ribbons (Cut into 1 yard lengths)
  • What Is the Bible? Video (included on DVD in VBS Kit)
  • Parent Video #1 (included on DVD in VBS Kit)
  • Parent Video Outline (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • Parent Small Group Discussion Questions (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • Bibles
  • 4 Thumb Signs (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree) (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • 10 Books of the Bible Signs (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • 2 Bucket Signs (In, Out) (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • What’s in the Bible? CD (included in VBS Kit)
  • 5 Brick Stack (like Jenga®) Games (with the Old and New Testament books written on the blocks with blue and orange marker)
  • 2 Eight Foot Tables
  • Masking Tape (for a start line)
  • 5 Old and New Testament Signs (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • 5 Small Blue Buckets
  • 5 Small Orange Buckets
  • 5 Kid Size Inflatable Sumo Bumper Boppers® or 5 Kid Size Inflatable Life Preservers
  • Foam Floor Tiles
  • 2 Lunch Size Paper Bags (Colored Bags are preferred) (Per Child)
  • Stapler
  • Glue Sticks
  • Markers
  • Scissors
  • What’s in the Bible? What’s in a Book Craft Cards (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • Bible What’s It? Video (included on DVD in VBS Kit)
  • GO HOME Cards (1 Per Family) (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
Day 2 Supply List & Links
  • 1-2 Hula Hoops
  • Why Do We Need the Old Testament? Video (included on DVD in VBS Kit)
  • Parent Video #2 (included on DVD in VBS Kit)
  • Parent Video Outline (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • Parent Small Group Discussion Questions (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • Bibles
  • 6 Balloons (1 of Each Color: Blue, Green, Yellow, Red, Orange, White)
  • Large Plastic Bins
  • What’s in the Bible? VBS Puzzle Pieces (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • What’s in the Bible? VBS CD (included in VBS Kit)
  • 5-10 Hula Hoops
  • Masking Tape
  • Foam Craft Sheets
  • Craft sheets (like construction paper)
  • Print Patterns (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • Markers or Stamps
  • Scissors
  • Craft Sticks
  • Duct Tape
  • What’s in the Bible? Sunglasses – 1 Per Child (available as orderable extras)
  • Bible What’s It? Video (included on DVD in VBS Kit)
  • GO HOME Cards* (1 Per Family)
Day 3 Supply List & Links
  • 4 Hardcover Books
  • 4 Book Relay Instructions (Included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • Masking Tape (to Mark a Start/Finish Line for each team)
  • Why Do We Need the New Testament? Video (included on DVD in VBS Kit)
  • Parent Video #3 (included on DVD in VBS Kit)
  • Parent Video Outline (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • Parent Small Group Discussion Questions (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • Bibles
  • 1 Glow In The Dark Bracelet (1 Per Child, Various Colors)
  • 2 Bright Flashlights
  • 1 Tarp (with holes cut out for 100, 50,10 points)
  • 1 Black Marker
  • Fishing Line (to hang tarp from ceiling)
  • 1 Bean Bag
  • Masking Tape (to mark start line)
  • 1 Watercolor Paper (Per Child)
  • Scissors
  • Watercolor Paints
  • Paintbrushes
  • 1 Tablecloth (Per Table)
  • Rulers
  • Pencils
  • Tape
  • What’s in the Bible? CD
  • 1 Large Piece of Butcher Paper (with 15 Small Gray Stones Painted/Drawn on)
  • 15 Question Slips (taped to the back of each stone) (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • Bible What’s It? Video (included on DVD in VBS Kit)
  • GO HOME Cards* (1 Per Family)
Day 4 Supply List & Links
  • 2 Baskets
  • 5-10 Pieces of Fruit (for tossing – Apples, Oranges, Limes, Lemons)
  • What Is A Christian? Video (included on DVD in VBS Kit)
  • Parent Video #4 (included on DVD in VBS Kit)
  • Parent Video Outline (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • Parent Small Group Discussion Questions (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • Bibles
  • Clive & Ian Song Cards (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • Clive & Ian Song “Justified By Grace” (on What’s in the Bible? CD in VBS Kit)
  • iPod or CD Player
  • 1 Kid Size Glove (Per Child)
  • 1 Velcro Ball
  • Masking Tape
  • 1 Grace Print Piece (Per Child) (included on PRINT MATERIALS DISC)
  • 1 Piece Tracing Paper (Per Child)
  • Pencils
  • Tape
  • Colored Pencils
  • Bible What’s It? Video (included on DVD in VBS Kit)
  • GO HOME Cards* (1 Per Family)
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